Books

One of Victorian England's most charismatic characters, Dante Gabriel Rossetti painted and wrote with equal passion. He was similarly passionate in his personal life — his ethereal artist-wife, his earthy blond mistress, and the ravishing Jane Morris are all immortalized in his voluptuous images. The melodrama of Rossetti's life, darkened by rumors of suicide, adultery, and addiction, has often overshadowed his striking accomplishments as a painter. The lush hues and elaborate imagery of his romantic canvases are captured by the 265 illustrations in this book, while the astute text provides — at long last — a clear and candid account of the artist that carefully untangles fact from myth. Reminiscences from the artist's great-grandniece Helen Guglielmini provide an engaging glimpse of life with the Rossettis. Rossetti's career is chronicled from his early achievements as a founder of the tremendously influential Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, through his involvement with the revolutionary William Morris design firm, to the grandly unorthodox images of his final years. Skillfully weaving in quotes from the artist and his contemporaries, Dr. Alicia Craig Faxon brings to life a charming, contradictory man. Sometimes delightful, sometimes infuriating, Rossetti was as apt to scribble a witty limerick or dash off a jokey caricature as he was to brood over a medieval fantasy or heartsick sonnet. Rossetti's prodigious art encompassed the meticulously detailed canvases of his early years, the jewel-like brilliance of his medieval tableaux, and the sensuously alluring women of his late paintings. He plundered the past for his painted and poetic images — especially favoring the tales of Dante and the romantic adventures of King Arthur — but his art was always uniquely his own, instantly recognizable and unforgettable. Beautifully designed with luscious reproductions, telling details, and graceful ornamentation, this is the first lavishly illustrated monograph devoted to this extravagantly talented artist. It was well worth waiting for. Dr. Alicia Craig Faxon is Professor of Art History, Emerita, from Simmons College, Boston, where she also served as Chair of the Department of Art and Music and was holder of the Alumnae Chair in the Humanities. She received a BA in history from Vassar, an MA in history from Radcliffe, and an MA and PhD in art history from Boston University. She has published numerous articles on Rossetti and several catalogs on far-ranging topics in 19th and 20th century art. Author — Dr. Alicia Craig Faxon. Hardcover with cloth binding. 256 pages. 11" × 13" (28 cm × 33 cm).

This fun-filled book teaches young readers all about color by leading them on a fascinating journey through the history of western art. What better way to learn about art's greatest masterpieces than through the lens of color? From the richest red through the most royal purple to the cheeriest yellow, this book explores how artists through the ages have used color in concept, symbolism, composition, and theme. As they read the book, children are invited to wander through a virtual art gallery where each room features a different color. Beginning with black and white, going through the primary colors, the mixed colors, and finishing with brown and gold, the book presents the evolution of pigment in art works from cave drawings to contemporary paintings. In addition, entertaining puzzles, quizzes, and activities will spark children's creativity. Beautifully designed for reading alone or with an adult, Red-Yellow-Blue gives children access to the complex world of color in a language and style they will respond to and enjoy. Silke Vry is an archaeologist, art historian, and artist living in Hamburg, Germany. She is the author of numerous books on art. Author — Silke Vry. Hardcover. 96 pages. 9" × 8" (23 cm × 20 cm) .

This DVD includes two complete programs that span an vast range of artistic development leading to the foundations of contemporary art. In The Art of the 19th Century , selected masterpieces of Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Historicism, and Impressionism illustrate the manifold and diverse phenomena of this epoch in architecture, sculpture, and painting. In The Art of the 20th Century , the break with tradition and the search for new forms are explored through movements such as Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, and Constructivism. DVD. 100 minutes.